Starter for explosive-engines.



'J. B. AUFULDISH.

STARTER FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES. APPLICATION m en MAY '20; 1912.

1,155,781. Patented 001;. 5, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

Educ/whoa,

J. B. AUFULDISH.

STARTER FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1912.

1,155,781 Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

' 2 SHEETSSHEET 2. T ,5 53 g I JOHN B. AUFULDISH, DIE-DAYTON, OHIO.

STARTER EOE EXPLOSIVE-ENGINES.

Specification bf Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

Application filed May 20, 1912. Serial No. 698,390.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN B. AUFULnisH, acitizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county .ofMontgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Starters for Explosive-Engines, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawing.

This invention relates to starters for explosive engines and moreparticularly to that type of starter which injects a charge ofexplosive'gas, such as acetylene gas, into the cylinder of the engineunder such conditions that it may be exploded to impart movement to thepiston. In starters of this type much difiiculty has beeen experiencedin successfully confining the gas, particularly when acetylene gas isused, it having been found that it is very difficult to so construct thevalves that there will be no leakage of gas about the same. Especiallyis this true of the throttle valve which controls the communicationbetween the gas tank.

and the distributer. No matter how finely this valve is ground ithappens almost invariably that. after having been in use a short time itwill permit the.esca.pe of the gas.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a distributerhaving a valve so constructed and arranged that it will effectuallyconfine the gas and prevent any leakage in the connection between thesource of supply and the distributer.

To this end it is a further object of the invention to provide, in astarter of this character, a valve operating mechanism. the movement ofwhich in one direction will be limited by the seating of the valve andwhich will be so constructed that any wear on the valve will beautomatically taken up by the action of the operating mechanism; andfurther, to provide such a mechanism in which the seating of thethrottle valve will also control the movement of the dis" tributingvalve.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section takencentrally through a starter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similarview taken centrally through a starter of a difl'erent construction,which also embodies my invention. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section ofthe device illustrated in Fig; 1, part of the valves open and apartclosed. Fig. 4 is a section taken on moved with relation to its valveseat.

the line wmof Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and Fig. 5is a detail view of the operating handle and indicator dial.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention, theessential characteristics of the invention being the same in both formshere shown. In each instance the starter comprises a casing 1,comprising a distributer and having mounted therein a distributing valveor valves. In each instance the casing is connected with the source ofgas supply, such as the wellknown Prest-o-lite tank, by means of a port2 formed in the casing and connected with the pipe leading to the tankby means of a nipple 3. In both forms of the device here shown, the port2 is arranged substantially in the center of one end of the casing,which is cylindrical in shape, and is provided with a tapered valve seat4, adapted to receive the tapered valve 5, which in the present inthetapered surface of the valve engages the entire surface of the valveseat and neither the valve nor the valve seat will be roughened or haveshoulders worn therein by the seating action. The valve may be actuatedin any suitable manner but I prefer to provide an operating mechanism inwhich a screw device is provided to move the valve 5 on to and off ofits seat. In thepresent construction a collar 6 is supported inalinement with the valve seat and is provided with internal screwthreads. This collar is here shown as supported from the side wall ofthe casing and as having that end adjacent to the port 2 spaced awayfrom the end of the casing to permit the free passage of the gas fromthe port to the interior of the easing. The stem 7 of the valve 5 isscrewthreaded to cooperate with the screwthreaded collar 6 andconsequently the rotation of the valve stem 7 will cause the valve tomove toward or away from its seat. Any suitable means may be providedfor rotating the valve stem to cause the valve. to })e n Fig. 1 I haveshown this deviceas comprising a handle 8 secured to one end'of a shaft9 which extends through the casing 1 bile. The shaft 9 is connected withthe stem 7 ofthe throttle valve 5 in such a manner as to cause the valvestem to rotate with the shaft but to permit the stem to havelongitudinal movement relatively to the shaft,

which is preferably held against longitudisocket and whilethey cause thetwo parts to rotate in unison they permit the stem to movelongitudinally relatively to the shaft.

The particular starter shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a series ofpockets 14to receive and store the gas. These pockets are divided fromthat end of the casing in which the valve 5 is mounted by a transversepartition 15 having therein a valve seat 16 provided with a series ofports, one for each storage chamber or pocket 14. A valve member 17 ismounted in said valve seat and provided with ports adapted to be movedinto and out of registration with the ports in the valve seats tocontrol the flow.

of gas to the respective pockets 14. The valve 17 is preferably actuatedfrom a handle 8 and to this end has therein slots 18 arranged onopposite sides of the central opening through which the shaft 9 passes.A pin 19 extends through the shaft and pro- I jects beyond bothsidesthereof into the slots 18, thus causing the valve member to rotate inunisonwith the shaft 9. Each pocket 14 is connected with one of thecylinders 'by means of a suitable conduit 20 and the flow of gas througheach conduit is controlled by means of a rotary plug valve 21. Thesevalves are also preferably actuated by the movement of the handle 8 andto.this end are each provided with a stem 22, having therein'a gear 23adapted to mesh with the central gear 24 secured to the shaft 9. It willbe noted, therefore, that all the valves of the device are actuated by asingle movement of the handle 8.. The valve 17 may be so adjusted withrelation to the shaft 9 that it will be opened, or closed, as maybedesired, when the throttle valve is opened and the rotary plug valves 21may also be adjusted so as to admit'the gas simultaneously to thecylinders, or successively. Preferably, a suitable stop, such as a pin25, is provided in the path of the handle 8 to so limit its movement inone direction that the ports of the distributing valves will be inproper alinement with their conduits, to connect their pockets to thecylinders. Preferably, when the pockets are connected with the cylinderthe valve 17 will be closed so that communication between the pockets,and consequently, between the cylinder, and the source of supply, willbe interrupted. The return movement of the handle closes the valve 21and the valve 17 and seats the throttle valve 5. The closing movement ofthe handle is limited only by the seating of the valve 5,

consequently this valve will always be moved into snug engagement withits seat and any wear on the seat or valve will be automatically takenup. It will be noted in this connection that the first movement of thehandle to unseat the throttle valve does not open either theintermediate valve 17 or the distributing valves 21. By the time thevalve 17 has been rotated far enough to open the ports therein thethrottle valve will have been unseated a distance suflicient to permitof a strong flow of gas past the same into the pockets 14. Thedistributing valves 21 being closed, the gas is not yet admitted to thecylinders of the engine. The continued movement ofthe operating handleserves to further open the throttle valve but closes the intermediate,valve 17 and opens the distributing valves 21, thus placing the severalpockets 14 in communication with the re spective cylinders of the engineand interrupting their communication with the source of supply. Wherethe pressure at the source of supply is reasonably strong, the operatinghandle may be moved continuously from one position to another and thebrief period during which the intermediate valve will be open will beample to charge the pockets 14. However, if the pressure at the sourceof supply should be low, the handle may be allowed to dwell for aninstant in the posi tion in which the intermediate valve is open, thusallowing ample time for the gas to pass into the pockets. An indicatordial 37 is mounted on the supporting structure for the device and soarranged that the handle trav-- els over the same. Thisdial is providedwith a suitable indication to enable the operator. to know when theintermediate valve is open.- Upon the return movement of the handle thedistributing valve will be closed before the intermediate valve isopened. The opening of the intermediate valve on the return movementwill cause the pockets to be charged upon the return stroke and thischarge will be sufficient to again operate the starter, provided thestart is made within a reasonable time. which enters the pockets on thereturn stroke of the handle, is not necessary, however, as a charge willalways enter the pockets during thefirst portion of the forward movementof the handle. By the time the throttle valve is fully seated, not onlythe distributing valves but the intermediate valve are closed. Thisarrangement enables a further use of the starter. That is, the source ofgas supply for the starter can be used as a source of supply for thecontinued operation of the engine, if it should be desired, in

This charge,

case of emergency. To permit thisuse of the starter, that portion of theinterior of the casing between the partition'15 and the end wall isprovided with an outlet 38 which is connected by a nipple with a pipeleading to the intake manifold of the engine. This connection betweenthe gas and the intake manifold is normally closed by means of a rvalveor otherwise. When it is desired to operate the engine from this sourceof supply, communication is providedbetween the outlet 38 and the intakemanifold of the engine and the handle of the starter is moved far enoughto 0 en the throttle valve without opening the intermediate valve 17.The amount of movement which is required to open the intermediate valve17 is such that the throttle valve can be opened a distance to permit anample flow of gas without opening the intermediate valve. The indicatordial may be provided with a suitable marking, such as "the word Intake,to indicate the proper position of the handle. Further the dial isprovided with graduations so that the extent of the opening of thethrottle valve may be regulated.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a sli htly different form of distributing valve.s here shown the casing is provided with a recess having tapered walls,as indicated at 26, which form a seat for a tapered valve member 27,which is hollow and communicates with the inte rior of the casing 1 bymeans of ports 28 and has other ports 29 adapted to register withconduits 30 in the casing to connect the interior of the valve member 27with the cylinders of the engine. This valve member is provided with aforwardly projecting portion 31 having a non-cylindrical socket 32 toreceive the non-cylindrical end portion 33 of the valve stem 27, thuscausing the two parts to rotate together and permitting them to havelongitudinal relative movement. The valve member 27 may be actuated inany suitable manner but is here shown as having a stem 34 on which ismounted a pinion 35 which meshes with a rack 36. The rack isconveniently arranged for operation. Inasmuch as this operatingmechanism does not form a part of this invention itis not necessary thatit should be shown and described in detail.

While I have shown and described one form of' the invention, it will beunderstood that this form is chosen for the purpose of illustration onlyand that I do not wish to be limited to the details of constructionshown and described, as obvious modifications will occur to one skilledin the art. For example, it will be understood that while I have shownand described a complete screwthread for actuating the tapered valve,substantially the same results can be secured by providing the valvestem and its support with cooperating inclined parts of anyJxind,

. to the valve when the same is rotated.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the character described comprising a casing having achamber provided with an inlet port communicating with a source of gassupply, said port having a valve seat at its inner end, a'screw-operated valve mounted for movement toward and away from saidvalve seat, a distributer communicating with said chamber, and means foroperatlng said distribute! and said valve in unison.

A device of'the character described com: prising a casing having achamber provided with an inlet port communicating with a source of gassupply, said port having a valve seat at its inner end, a screw-operatedvalve mounted for movement toward and away from .said' valve seat, adistributor communicating with said chamber, and

.means for' operating said distributerand said valve in unison saidmeans being so arranged that the movement of both the distributer andthe valve in one direction will be limited by the seating of said valve.

3. A device of the character described comprising'a casing having achamber provided with an inletport communicating with a source of gassupply, a screw-actuated valve to control the flow of fluid through saidinlet port, said chamber also having an outlet, means for controllingthe escape of gas through said outlet, and a single actuating device forimparting movement to said valve and to said controlling means. 4. Adevice of the character described comprising a casing having a chamberprovided with an inlet port communicating with a source of gas supply, avalve to control the flow of fluid through said inlet port, ascrewthreaded actuating device for said valve arranged within saidchamber, said chamber also having an outlet, means for controlling theescape of gas through said outlet, and means for causing said valve andsaid controlling means to move in-unison.

5. A device of the character'descri'bedcomprising a casing having achamber provided with an inlet port communicating with a source of gassupply, a valve to control the flow of fluid through said inlet port, ascrew-threaded actuating device for said valve arranged within saidchamber, said chamber also having an outlet, means to control saidoutlet, and means for causing said valve and said controlling means tobe actuated in timed relation one to the other.

6. A device of the character described comprising a casing having achamber provided with an inlet port communicating with a source of gassupply, said port having at its inner end a valve seat, a valve tocontrol said inlet port and having a screw-threaded stem, ascrew-threaded support for said valve stem arranged withinsaid chamber,said chamber also having an outlet, means to control said outlet, andactuating means arranged exteriorly of said chamber to cause'said valveand said controlling means to be actuated in timed relation one to theother.

7. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamberprovided with an inlet port communicating with a source of gas supply,said inlet port having a tapered valve seat, a tapered valve cooperatingwith said valve seat and having a stem, a support for said valve stem,said-valve stem and said support having cooperating screw threads toimpart longitudinal movement to said valve when said stem is rotated, anoutlet passage leading from said chamber, a valve to control saidpassage and means for simultaneously actuating both of said valves, themovement of both valves in one direction being limited by the seating ofthe first mentioned valve.

8. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inlet andoutlet, valves to control said inlet-and said outlet, a screwthreadeddevice for actuating one of said valves and means for causing saidvalves to move'in unison whereby the movement of both valves will belimited by the seating of that valve having the screw-threaded actuatingdevice.

9. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inlet andan outlet, a hollow valve member mounted in said casing communicatingwith said inlet and controllin said outlet, a tapered valve to controlsald inlet, said tapered valve having a screw threaded stem and asupport for said stem having a screw-threaded portion to cooperate withsaid stem, an operating mem-. ber operatively connected with both ofsaid valves whereby said valves are moved in unison and their movementin one direction will be limited by the seating of said tapered valve.

10. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inlet andan outlet, a screw actuated valve, to control said inlet and a valve tocontrol said outlet, and an operating device operatively connected withl-oth of said valves.

11. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inlet andan outlet, said inlet having a tapered valve seat, a screw actuatedtapered valve adapted to control said inlet, a distributing valve tocontrol said outlet, a shaft mounted in said casing and connected withboth of said valves and a handle to control the movement of said valve.

12. In a device of the character described, a casing having an .inletand an outlet, said inlet having a tapered valve seat, a screw actuatedtapered valve, to control said inlet, a distributing valve to controlsaid outlet, a shaft mounted in said casing, a connection between saidshaft and said screw actuated valve to cause the latter to rotate withsaid shaft, but allowing it to have longitudinal movement relativelythereto, a connec tion between said shaft and said distributing valve tocause the same to rotate therewith and a handle for operating saidshaft.

13. In a device of the character described, acasing having an inlet andan outlet, a screw actuated valve to control said inlet, a distributingvalve to control said outlet, a partition arranged between said inletand said outlet and dividing said easing into two compartments, saidpartition having a port therein, a valve controlling the port in saidpartition, an operating device connectedwith each of said valves wherebya single movement of said operating device will actuate each valve.

14. In a device of the character described, a casing having an inlet andan outlet, a throttle valve to control said inlet and a distributingvalve to control said outlet, said casing also having a supplementaloutlet, and an actuating device, connections between said actuatingdevice and the respective valves to cause said throttle valve to openbefore said distributing valve opens, thereby permitting saidsupplemental outlet to beconnected with the inlet without connecting thefirst mentioned outlet with said inlet. i

In testimonyv whereof, I affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN B. AUFULDISH.

Witnesses:

F. W. SCHAEFER, lEnw. J. FrrzsIMMoNs.

